About Spokenforks

Spokenforks aims to be an insightful blog for those wishing to gain a firmer grasp on the world of racing; doing so without swamping readers with history and terminology. Currently focusing upon the previewing and analysis of major races, Spokenforks is soon to expand with interviews from domestic and international riders – as well as live reports from the roadside. If you have any questions about the sport, from race winning strategy to what the riders have for breakfast – please get in touch. The more feedback received, the greater Spokenforks can be tailored towards your tastes as they become clearer. Spreading Spokenforks through sharing the site goes to attract further attention; helping secure press passes and exclusive interviews with top names at major races – Thank you.
For further information, please contact Spokenforks at – editor@spokenforks.com

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Independent Cycling Race Previews

Vuelta Roster Update

It is only a matter of days until the start of this year’s final grand tour the Vuelta a España and the majority of teams have confirmed their rosters for the three week tour of Spain. The following is a list of those teams which have announced their lineups, with the remaining few set to do the same by the eve of the race’s start.

Belkin

Belkin have decided upon a team which has an immense depth of talent and experience and it would be no surprise should they leave Spain with a stage win or two; though GC hopes could be a step beyond them.

Cannondale

This will be the last grand tour we see Cannondale competing in their current guise before they merge with Garmin, if rumours are true. However, expect them to go out with a bang as Peter Sagan and the ever aggressive Alessandro De Marchi will be animating the racing for them.

Garmin-Sharp

Since a disastrous start to the Giro in Ireland, Dan Martin shifted his season’s goals to the Vuelta and World Championships and it could well turn out great. The parcours suit Martin’s style more than a typical Tour de France route, so expect a stage win and a possible top 10 finish if he times his attacks right. Andrew Talansky was a broken man during Le Tour and it seems incredible that he has returned so quickly for more of the same, but getting back in the saddle to prove his form in Spain will be huge motivation. Ryder Hesjedal took over the reins from Martin at the Giro after his huge crash and did well to steady the ship and secure Garmin a placing in the top ten GC. David Millar’s last hurrah seems to have finally got off the ground as he supports the team at his least grand tour – no doubt he will sneak into a suicidal break too.

Lampre-Merida

Boasting the Vuelta’s reigning champion Chris Horner, attention was drawn to the 42 year old’s attempts to defend his title, but he has since withdrawn due to contravening MPCC regulations with low cortisol readings. His replacement Valerio Conti will wear the number one dossard vacated by Horner but will certainly not be geared towards the same role. The rest of the team look set to be present in some lumpy breakaway days in the mountains, while Przemyslaw Niemiec maybe their best bet for a solid general classification finish.

Movistar

With Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde present amongst their ranks, Movistar seem set to try and win their national tour. A predominantly Spanish team with great depth, it will also be interesting to see how co-leadership functions between Quintana and Valverde.

OPQS

It seems like a century since we last saw Tom Boonen contesting the sprint finish of a grand tour and it will be a happy sight to see him again at last. Tony Martin has been on imperious form recently and will be on the look out for more stage wins, while Rigoberto Uran leads their classification hopes after a second place at this year’s Giro.

Orica-GreenEdge

Hard to gauge the ambitions of this squad, but the big news is the inclusion of Adam Yates for his grand tour debut. His wins at Tour of Turkey and GP Industria & Artigianato; while also finishing 6th in Critérium du Dauphiné show great promise for the Vuelta.

Europcar

Another mixed bag of riders who are likely to spend a few hours out front in the breakaway for the most part. An interesting note being the confirmation of Namibia’s Dan Craven amongst the roster, expect more information on his fantastic story at SpokenForks in the coming days.

Giant-Shimano

Warren Barguil will offer viewers another chance to gauge his potential as France’s next big hope of having a Frenchman atop the podium in Paris sometime soon. Lawson Craddock is another youngster hotly tipped since making the jump to the WorldTour, so American fans will be eagerly watching his progress. No doubt John Degenkolb will do his best to steal a stage win from a selected bunch finished too.

Sky

Certainly a team which will attract a lot of attention from the press due to its immense strength built around leader Christopher Froome. Expect him to go for the overall win to compensate for a disastrous Tour de France, though it would be a surprise if all trepidation of crashing has left him since abandoning on the cobbles. Phillip Deignan, Peter Kennaugh and Luke Rowe could all cause a few upsets in terms of sneaking a win under their belts, but regardless of personal ambition; this may be the strongest team here.

Tinkoff-Saxo

The fact Alberto Contador is riding after breaking his leg is amazing, let alone the fact he has chosen the Vuelta to make his surprise return. It seems doubtful that he would be willing to rush recovering if he did not think that he has enough form right now to be competitive at his home tour. The real doubts appear when analysing the squad, which may leave Contador short on days when he needs protecting.

Trek Factory Racing

Another diverse mix of riders returning after a mid-season break (Fabian Cancellara), a top ten Tour de France finish (Haimar Zubeldia) and making a grand tour debut (Bob Jungels). Julián Arredondo might be their best man for a mountain top victory having won the Mountains Classification earlier this year at the Giro.

The first African team to ride a grand tour since Barloworld folded, MTN-Qhubeka will be relying on Gerald Ciolek, Jacques Janse van Rensburg and Daniel Teklehaimanot to justify their wild card inclusion.